The local license bureau has made the news repeatedly throughout this past year.  Through the diligent hard work of so many caring people, New Carlisle’s License Bureau will remain where, and as is.  Jim Sheldon owner of the building that rents to the License Bureau wished to express his feelings on the subject.
“Fact is, It’s not only a financial situation for me.  It’s a convenience issue for me and so many area people.  It’s the Title Department that makes this bureau so important. When you head out of New Carlisle all four ways, you are almost immediately into another county.  Miami, Champaign, Clark, and Montgomery all surround our small town.  So if there were not a License Bureau, citizens would have to travel miles to the nearest big city to have their business taken care of.  I, myself, live near the Hilltop and would have to travel clear to downtown Troy to obtain mine.  It’s wonderful here so customer friendly!”
The small Title Department/License Bureau supplies income for six people.  The parking is nearby and free.  Ours is also the only Bureau that is able to provide inspections for watercraft in Clark County and semi’s, plus it has the room for these vehicles to park.  “It takes very little money to run the facility that includes:  rent, insurance, electric, phones, salaries, and equipment.” A very reasonable cost, seemingly to the government, but not so.  The License Bureau must be totally self supporting.  That small $3.50 application fee is all the agency receives.  The State of Ohio signs and approves the lease agreement but pays nothing towards it.  Also, with the Deputy Register position, it takes the proposal and maintains a numerical rating system but pays no salary.  “Requirements for the register are specific”, Sheldon continues, “The state says you have to work so many hours and be open so many days per week.  Countertops are required to be a certain height.  There were so many regulations and everything had to be followed just so.  One little thing gets forgotten and you can lose it all.”  “I was the Deputy register for 12 years.  I worked with a great bunch of girls!  Sandy Wolfe, Sue Walker, and Linda Glosser, when you work with good people its easy to make things work out right.  We were able to achieve Number 1 for customer service for several years.  I have felt very honored by those people who have asked me to go back to it.  Things have changed so much now.  And, I’m 72 yrs old, I’ve been trying to slow down some and pay attention to the things that really matter.”
Jim Sheldon bought the building back in 1979.  He had the Chrysler Dodge Franchise downstairs and apartments for rent above.  Shifting through various car lots and ownerships, he’s spent the last 49 years selling cars.  “When I sold Volkswagens, I was one of the top ten salesmen in a three state area.  It‘s quite an achievement, but, also, very time consuming.  I still have a small car lot out of Brandt.  I try to help friends and family out with cars.”  “I guess, if you nick an artery of mine, a bunch of little cars would come flowing out!” he says with a laugh.  “When you get so involved with cars and then into management, like I did, it takes so much time.  I’ve worked every Saturday of my life and evenings long past the time my kids had went to bed.  John David and Janine went to school and grew up and I hardly got to see them.  My kids are workers.  I am so proud of them.  My son is with UPS, steady, and he’s spending time with his son.  He is doing what I should of done.  My daughter has a very hard, responsible job with Montgomery County Healthcare, and my wife Judy keep’s getting a clean bill of health from the doctor’s office.  So, we are doing very well.”